An Afternoon with the Woods

Ophelia couldn't help but be nervous as she and Charlie made their way down the path to the house where she grew up in a small village nestled in the Highlands. Outside of Hogwarts and her flat, it was the only home she had ever known. It was on the outskirts of the village along a small lane of magical folk, though the main village itself was muggle.

She stopped at the doorstep, gulping slightly as she stared at the door. It wasn't so much that she was afraid – she had never truly been afraid of her parents, even when she was in trouble – but she was concerned. There was no telling what madness would be lying on the other side of the door now that she was bringing a man home to meet (well, not so much meet in this case, but same concept) the family.

"Surely this isn't that bad," Charlie said from her side. She looked over at him, jealous that he was far more at ease than she was. Part of her thought they shouldn't take an afternoon off from work; there was still far too much to do on the proposal. But Charlie assured her they would be fine. Besides, part of this was work. They would head out to Hebrides after lunch.

But that wasn't the source of her agitation. It was her family. She wasn't completely sure what they would face.

"Right," Ophelia said, pushing the door open before she lost her nerve and turned back around. "Maw! Da!"

"Ah, there ye are!" Davina Wood said as she stepped into the living room, a towel in her hands. She quickly wiped her hands and walked over to hug Ophelia, though she was smiling at Charlie over her shoulder. She then stepped over and hugged him as well. "So good to see ye, Charlie. It's been such a long time."

"You as well, Mrs. Wood," he said politely.

"Pssh, it's Davina," she said, stepping back from him. "Ye've certainly grown up." She then looked over and winked at Ophelia, whose cheeks turned pink.

"Ah, when I heard Charlie Weasley was comin' today, nearly didn't believe it," her father Fergus boomed as he walked in, his eyes twinkling. He was a large man - tall and broad like her brothers - and Ophelia supposed she should be grateful that he had chosen to be happy about Charlie, rather than try to intimidate him. "Especially when I heard he was comin' with wee Phillie here."

"Da," Ophelia whined, though Fergus paid her no heed, walking over to shake Charlie's hand. She was now unsure if she liked this approach any better.

"Good to see you again, Mr. Wood," Charlie said, ever the charmer.

"As with my lovely wife, it's Fergus. And at this point, ye are practically family as it is," he said, grinning. Ophelia grimaced, not sure she wanted to know where he was going with that. He then stepped over and hugged Ophelia. "Happy to hear you looked after my youngest in Romania. Save her from any dragons, did ye?" Ophelia just frowned at her father.

"Actually, she was the one rescuing me," Charlie said, smiling. "Got me out of the way before a Hebridean Black could roast me." Fergus' eyes widened as he looked at Ophelia. "Got a lovely scar from her efforts."

"WHAT!?" Duncan shouted as he bounded into the room. Ophelia huffed and rolled her eyes. Of course, this would be the one time he showed up early. "You said nothin' about that!"

"Probably because I knew ye'd lose yer heid," she muttered, though Charlie chuckled. Duncan frowned at him. Whatever goodwill they had built up the other night was now clearly gone as Duncan decided - yet again - to be unhappy that his friend was dating his younger sister.

"Ye were supposed to be lookin' out for her!" he shouted.

"I made no such promise, Duncan," Charlie said. "Though I did my best. Phillie's got a mind of her own, as I'm sure you know."

Mr. and Mrs. Wood laughed loudly as Duncan continued to glare at his friend.

"Och, we gonna stand around all day or eat?" Oliver asked, walking into the room. Well bugger, they were both early. But Ophelia couldn't help but feel grateful for Oliver and his never-ending pit of a stomach in that moment.

"Come on, then. Lunch is ready," Mrs. Wood said amiably. "And then ye can tell us about Romania. I'm eager to hear all about it."

They all sat down to lunch and Ophelia was happy that things settled down, though Duncan continued to frown at Charlie throughout the meal. Ophelia barely got a word in as her parents peppered Charlie with question after question about the dragon reserve and Ophelia's time there. She had to admit, he was rather good with parents. Or maybe it was because they already knew each other so well.

"So, ye're helping Phillie here wi' the proposal," Fergus said.

"Yes, sir. Though she doesn't much need the help," Charlie said, flashing her a smile. Ophelia felt her cheeks heat up slightly.

"Och, I need all the help I can get," she said. "Two weeks and three people. Not nearly enough. He's been helping loads." Though she turned her attention to her plate, she didn't miss the look that passed between her parents.

Merlin, Charlie complained that his mother would be planning the wedding; she was fairly sure her mother was already doing the same.

"So, once they get Hebrides up, ye thinkin' of relocatin'?" Fergus asked, causing Ophelia to choke on her drink. She glanced at Charlie, the thought not really crossing her mind until that moment. They hadn't even discussed it themselves.

"Perhaps, though would have to be offered a spot first," Charlie said, the red starting up his neck. Ophelia's eyes widened slightly as a smile tugged at her lips.

She had to admit, now that it was mentioned, she wouldn't mind it if he moved to Hebrides. Certainly, far closer than Romania.

"Could get you to some matches then," Oliver said, smiling. Duncan was glaring at Charlie though at this point Ophelia wasn't so sure why he was still upset. He had loads of time to get used to the fact she and Charlie were dating.

"Would love to. Been an age since I've been to a game," Charlie said. "Saw you lot were doing well this season…"

Never in her life had Ophelia been grateful for quidditch. But she breathed a bit easier when they settled into talking about Puddlemere and the season, rather than Charlie moving to Scotland. Though she knew it was something they would talk about eventually.

It no doubt would come up with his own family if it hadn't already, she was sure. For his part, Charlie seemed happier discussing quidditch and she was keen to keep it going, even joining here and there. Duncan also finally joined the conversation, seeming to once again become comfortable with Charlie being there. Merlin, his back and forth was enough to give Ophelia a headache.

But thankfully, lunch was coming to an end and she was grateful to get out of the house and up to Hebrides. If anything, to get away from the knowing looks her parents were giving her and Charlie.

"While yer here, we should do a pick-up match," Oliver said. "Dare say we could get Phillie up in the air." Duncan snorted as he reached for another piece of cake.

"You remember the last time we did that? Could barely stay on her broom," he said, grinning cheekily at her.

"I was no that bad," she shot back defensively. "No that great either, but I did stay on my broom more than ye are sayin'." Charlie chuckled and sat his arm on the back of her chair, a move that didn't go unnoticed by the rest of her family.

Suddenly, she felt like their relationship was on display as she squirmed slightly in her chair. Even if it was just her family.

"Aye, she's no that bad," Fergus said. "Not everyone can play professional quidditch, though surely Charlie here would have had a good chance."

"I'm not so sure about that," Charlie said, a humble expression on his face. "Though flying does come in handy sometimes with my work. But yea, I would be up for a match while I'm here. Sure, George and Bill would be interested as well."

"We'll work it out. Phillie could be a cheerleader," Oliver said, winking at her. Ophelia just rolled her eyes.

"Ophelia can play if she wants," her mother said firmly, glaring at her two sons. This was a conversation they had had way more than once. Her brothers leaving her out and her parents shouting at them to let her play.

"Anyone care about what I want to do?" Ophelia asked.

"You want to play?" Charlie asked, looking down at her.

"Maybe," she said, not really wanting to, but also not wanting to back down in front of her brothers. Oliver was smiling smugly at her, before shooting Duncan a look.

Fucking hell, they were planning something, she knew it. In fact, they had been getting along all lunch which told her they most definitely were in on something together. They mostly got along when it came to something involving her - whether it was pestering the ever-loving life out of her or going after some bloke that had slighted her.

Ophelia wasn't sure she wanted to stick around long enough to find out just what this was.

"Well, it's been lovely, but Charlie and I have somewhere to be," she said, pulling her napkin from her lap and placing it on the table.

"So soon? But we havnae brought out the good stuff!" her father boomed, obviously disappointed they were leaving.

"Aye, stay a bit longer," her mother encouraged.

"And just why is it yer so eager to be off?" Oliver asked, grinning. Ophelia blushed as she rolled her eyes.

"We're going to look at Hebrides," she stated. "For the proposal. And then we've got more work to do." She was slightly tempted to stick her tongue out at him but refrained. Charlie chuckled at her side.

"Yes, it has been a wonderful afternoon, but we should get out there soon so that we're back before sundown," he said. Everyone stood from the table as Charlie thanked the Woods for the meal and they started for the door.

"Just be safe!" Oliver shouted out, Ophelia's eyes going wide at the insinuation behind the words. She heard a thwack and turned around to see just who had smacked him. It was her mother, who was frowning at him, while Duncan's face had gone white. Fergus had buried his face in his tea mug, not wanting to acknowledge what Oliver had just said.

"See you later!" Ophelia shouted as she then grabbed Charlie's arm and dragged him out of the house, mortification flowing through her. "I'm gonna kill him."

"Wasn't that bad. Well… at least not until the end," Charlie said. Ophelia frowned at him. "And really, you know George is worse." Ophelia just huffed slightly as they started down the path, pulling her wand out.

"Let's just go before anyone else in there gets any other bright ideas," she muttered.

"Fine by me. Hold on…"

When Ophelia opened her eyes, they were standing at the top of a hill, the sea breeze blowing her hair slightly. She couldn't speak for a moment, taking in the rolling landscape before her. Charlie had taken them to the largest of the small grouping of islands that had housed the previous reserve.

She could see a few structures still up, but she wasn't completely sure where the main camp had been. Either way, it still took her breath away. There was something about home, she decided, though Romania had been beautiful in its own way.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" she asked, looking over at Charlie. He had a bit of a dazed look on his face as he looked over the island and then down at her, nodding.

"I've never seen it before," he said. Ophelia smiled and took his hand, starting to walk down the hill.

"Well, this is just one of three islands the old reserve was set up on. Plenty of space and there are more islands nearby that we could use, should we need to expand," she explained. "As you know, the proposal would have us starting out on these three and we can build it up over time."

They fell into comfortable silence as they walked, though eventually Ophelia stopped and pulled a map out of her bag, looking it over and then up. She then pointed in a direction where the camp had been, the two setting off again.

When they finally reached the main camp area, she was surprised to see a few of the buildings still there, though they were a bit worse for wear.

"Not so bad," Charlie said, coming to a stop. "Think most of this could be renovated. You wouldn't need to start from scratch completely."

"Aye, I agree," Ophelia said, looking around. It was a bit difficult, but she was trying to imagine it as it had once been.

"This… looks like it was the main building," Charlie said, pointing over to the largest building. He walked over, Ophelia following. Carefully, they made their way across the rundown porch and into the building. Light poured in from several holes in the ceiling. "Think you could get a new roof on it easily. Upgrade the kitchen and all."

Ophelia didn't answer, just followed him back outside.

"Over there… that's a nice space for a hatchery. Could do a bigger one than in Romania," he said, pointing in another direction. Ophelia studied the look on his face, seeing he had a far-off expression. She looked over at the space, following him as he walked to it, still explaining how the hatchery would look.

In a manner of seconds, it was as though the building had sprung up before her, plank by plank. As they walked around the plot, she could see the stalls for the eggs. The heaters that would keep the place warm and toasty. Where the wee-uns could stay until they were big enough to move out into the wild of the island.

They continued on, Charlie pointing out where the cabins would go and a general store. A clinic for the tamers and another for the most injured dragons. He then stopped and looked up at a hill that would overlook the entire camp.

"There," he said, pointing up at it. "That's the perfect place for a house. Large porch so you could sit out there at night or in the morning and you'd get the perfect view of the entire reserve."

His blue eyes were lit up with excitement as he gazed up at the hill and Ophelia could see it. A quaint little house with large windows and a large porch. She then looked up at the sky, almost seeing a dragon flying overhead. Looking around at the land around her, she felt excitement building. It was almost as though the picture Charlie had painted for her had come to life.

She could see tamers walking about, going on their day. People going in and out of the main hall and clinic. Perhaps even guests coming to see the dragons.

It was amazing.

And for the first time since she had started on this project, she didn't feel overwhelmed. She felt as though it was just at her fingertips and she wanted nothing more than to follow through. To bring everything Charlie had just said to life.

"You see it, don't you?" Charlie asked. She looked up at him, seeing his bright blue eyes fixed on her. She couldn't speak, only nod. She then looked away, the intensity in his eyes almost too much to bear.

"It's beautiful," she said softly, the only thing that could come to mind. "It's going to be a lot of work, but Merlin, I can see it."

She felt Charlie's hand in her own and she looked down as their fingers intertwined. She then looked back up at him.

"If anyone can do it, it's you, Phillie," he said softly, pulling her closer to him. She blushed slightly but didn't shy away. "Already you're doing so much."

"I've got help," she said, looking away. Charlie reached out and gently touched her cheek, guiding her to look up at him. She could see the heat building in his eyes.

"True, but you are doing a large part of the work," he said. "Never underestimate yourself, Phillie. When this succeeds, it's because of you." Ophelia couldn't look away as he pulled her against him. "You've got a true passion for this reserve. For the dragons that you'll save. It takes heart to do this work, and you've got plenty of that."

Ophelia held her breath slightly as he bent down to her, taking her lips in a tender kiss that still managed to set her veins aflame in the way that only Charlie could do. She found herself wrapping her arms around his neck, opening her lips to him. She felt his grip tightening on her waist.

Finally, Ophelia pulled away, taking a deep breath. Charlie smiled down at her.

"Do ye need to go back to the Burrow tonight?" she asked, a coy smile on her face. Charlie chuckled softly and shook his head.

"No… not tonight."

Another day, another chapter! Happy that I'm finished with this one and eager to share the rest of the story with you guys. ^_^

Thanks for reading and following!